Just Summer Things: Dubai Parks and Resorts
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My cousins and I were lucky to avail a mind-blowing deal which made our trip quite memorable (in fact, it was undoubtedly my favourite experience of the UAE since I moved last year). For a discounted price of AED 95 during Ramadhan nights, we could visit three of the theme parks from 8 pm to 12 am. And boy did we make the MOST of it. Following is a brief overview including the Do's and Dont's (from my personal experience).
1. Motiongate
This one is BY FAR the best park for grown ups. Even though we had to choose a handful of rides that were most attractive to us, it suffices to say that we really enjoyed ourselves AND I would surely go back if given the chance!
The park is divided into Columbia Pictures, Dreamworks, Lionsgate, Smurfs Village and Studio Central.
♛ The Blast Off ride, inspired by Zombieland in Columbia Pictures is INSANE. I almost cried. Not for the weak-hearted ones.
♛ The Green Hornet: High Speed Chase is a fun roller coaster apt for grown-ups and children!
♛ Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - River Expedition is pretty low key and not very thrilling but it has a nice view especially for those who are fans of the movie!
♛ Madagascar Mad Pursuit is MAD. Do not underestimate the thrill of this ride based on the cartoonish interiors. Guys, this was the MOST thrilling indoor roller coaster I have ever been on. We went for it twice and even that wasn't enough!
We couldn't check out Smurfs Village and other 4D rides due to the shortage of time (but they're on the agenda for next time). My personal favourite part of this park were the real-life characters in Dreamworks as well as the exquisite and beautifully done interiors and exteriors of the park. It felt like you'd been transported right into the movies- which was a dream come true for a big fan like myself.
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| My soul animated character - Gloria! |
2. Bollywood Parks
Alright, many of you might not agree but Bollywood Parks came as a disappointment to me. And that's saying something because I am a die-hard Bolly fan. We checked out one ride only: Krrish something and .... I don't even want to describe what I felt. Everyone hyped about it so much saying this was their best ride and well.. it would be the best for an eight-year-old at max. It was quite pointless for my cousins and me which is why we decided to skip on exploring the rest of the park.
My assumption is that the park would be exciting for the non-desi fans of Bollywood since it would help them experience it up close and I bet the Bollywood performances (which I didn't see) would be a plus point also.
3. Legoland Dubai
Legoland, as the name suggests, is heaven for Lego enthusiasts. While most of the rides are for the young lot, we managed to enjoy two things:
♛ Miniland - my oh my, the detailing in Miniland is breathtaking. Largely entailing the Dubai skyline and monuments of the UAE, you will also see a Lego structure of the Pyramids and Taj Mahal. It is a must-see part of Dubai Parks. Here's a little tip- press the multiple green buttons around the different buildings to see tiny 3D animations made from Lego!
♛ Wave Racers, where you can control power skiing in water!
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| Me goofing around in the hugeeeee lego store! |
4. Riverland
This retail and dining destination is free for everyone to explore and does not require a ticket for entry. It is divided into four themed portions, each containing an assortment of restaurants and shops: The French Village, Boardwalk, India Gate, and The Peninsula. Just taking a scenic stroll alongside the river is an experience in itself.
The Legoland Water Park was not included in the offer thus I cannot review it for you. Here are some pointers:
☞ The park consists of mostly outdoor attractions so expect it to be VERY hot. WE went after the sunset (which I am not sure is an option during regular months) and hence were able to bear with the heat.
☞ Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, there is a lot of walking involved.
☞ You can easily cover two parks in a day (Motiongate and Legoland) if you don't have younger children with you and the park isn't too crowded. We were fortunate to not have to wait in any queues (but again, it was not very busy because of Ramadhan)
☞ All restaurants and snack joints are pricier than the regular ones outside the park (Mc Donalds was around 40% more expensive)
☞ There are paid taxi-carts available to take you from one park to the other. We preferred walking though.
☞ Do some research before going so you can save time on searching for the right rides for you. Youtube videos of rides are not always accurate but can give you a brief idea of what to expect.
My Verdict
Residents and tourists, be sure to visit the park at least once. You won't be disappointed.
For Park timings, tickets and seasonal offers, you can check the website here.
The day time pictures are from Google (since I went in the evening, duh.)
3 comments
Wow, this looks so grand and amazing. Will have to check it out on my next visit. Xx
ReplyDeleteJadirah Sarmad | Jasmine Catches Butterflies ʚϊɞ
Hey are the rides included in the entry ticket?
ReplyDeleteYes!! All rides are included!!
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